The Rose is part of the Novel Bodies, Novel Landscapes series. Red roses are known to symbolize true love, but they also carry powerful political meanings across different cultures and histories. Novel Bodies, Novel Landscapes reimagines Black women beyond the confines of history, expectation and erasure. Rooted in Afrofuturism, Novel Bodies, Novel Landscapes is a series of works that center Black women in a safe futuristic world. Through my work, I place us firmly within landscapes of power, beauty and infinite possibility. In these imagined worlds, Black women roam freely unburdened by imposed ideals of femininity and perfection. Their forms, informed by “imperfect” bodies, exist unapologetically within surreal environments. The figures in this series are not merely subjects; they are leaders, visionaries and revolutionaries. Each woman plays a vital role in her community, whether as a healer, guide or protector. Title: The Rose (2026)Dimensions: 6.50 x 9.75 in.Medium: Mixed media collage on paper.
